The museum
is situated in a fine building
refurbished by Stefano
Bardini at the end of the
18th century and donated
by its owner to the Muicipal
Administration of Florence
in 1922. Bardini was a
famous art dealer who collected
objects of different periods
and of high quality. Even
the building itself is
remakrable for its use
of doors, windows and mouldings
of old fragments originally
belonging to ruined
churches and villas.
The ceilings are magnificent
examples of Venetian
and Tuscan woodwork
ranging from the 15th
to the 17th centuries.

The
collection comprises sculptures,
paintings, furniture pieces,
ceramic pieces, tapestries
but also fragments of the
old centre of Florence,
salvaged before its destruction.
All these items are displayed
on the ground and the first
floors according to a layout
that fully reflects the
character of a typically
private collection, with
the touch of a rather suggestive
setting. In addition to
Roman sacrophagi, capitals,
Roman and Gothic relief
work, there are also other
remarkable examples like
the work of the Della Robbia
brothers (15th and 16th
century), works attributed
to Donatello and to Nino
or Giovanni Pisano, in
addition to the famous "Charity" by
Tino di Camaino (c. 1280-1337).

The most outstanding painting of the collection is perhaps St. Michael Archangel by Antonio Del Pollaiolo (1431-1498), although there are many other precious works among the collections of weapons, 15th century polychrome stuccoes and wooden sculpture. The collection of old musical instruments is also worth a visit.

The second
floor of the building exhibits
the Corsi collection that
comprises some works from
the 12th to the 19th centuries,
donated by Mrs. Carobbi,
the widow of Corsi, in
1938.

NOTICE

After long and accurate restorations work aimed at re-establishing the configuration which its founder, the antiquarian Stefano Bardini, had originally given the exhibition. Stefano Bardini trained as a painter, became famous as a restorer and put together a collection of artwork with the love and passion for the Renaissance. Thanks to him, the keenness for Renaissance architectural decorations, for stucco sculptures and terracotta sculptures was rediscovered.
The original decorations of the rooms of the present-day Museum, which was actually the antiques showroom in Bardini’s times, can now be enjoyed. On account of its uniqueness, the blue color employed was imitated by many, including Jacquemart-Andrè in Paris and Isabella Stewart in Boston.

Sculptures
room

Antonio
del Pollaiolo
St.
Michael Archangelo

Donatello
Madonna della Mela (carved wood)

Bernardo Daddi
This striking crucifix is the largest in
Florence, 4,76 x 4,20 meters.
According to experts should be the crucifix
disappeared from the cathedral of Florence
in the mid of the 15th century.

Tino
da Camaino
The Charity
1311 - 1323

Wooden
sculpture of a lady
14th century

Sculptures
room

Armor room

Andrea
della Robbia - Glazed terracotta
Madonna with Child and Angels

Jar
in terracotta - Montelupo manufactury
18th century

Armor room
Head of dragon coming from a ship

Couple
of lions coming from Lucca
13th century

Wild boar fountain
in bronze (nickname Porcellino)
made by Pietro Tacca, pupil of Giambologna,
in 1612

A copy is under the Loggia del Mercato
Nuovo near Palazzo Vecchio.
Tourists visiting the city have always
had the habit of touching the snout
of the worldwide famous boar, as it
is said to bring good luck. It is probably
one of the most famous statue of Florence.
Copies can be found in Australia, Canada,
Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain,
USA.

Lion
- Florentine workshop
19th century

This lion was on the facade of Palazzo Vecchio for about 100 years (PICTURE / replaced with a similar because too damaged).